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Release No: 617-95November 21, 1995

ARPA-ARMY STARS PROJECT WINS AWARD

The Army Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems (STARS)
Demonstration Project received one of the 1995 Federal Technology Leadership
Awards in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on November 15, 1995. The Award
is sponsored by Government Executive magazine to recognize federal projects
that have made exceptional contributions to mission effectiveness,
cost-effectiveness and service to the public through the use of automated
information systems.

The Army STARS project is managed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency
(ARPA) and the Army Communication-Electronics Command Software Engineering
Directorate, and is one of three STARS demonstration projects sponsored by
ARPA. Participating contractors include Ilex Corporation, Shrewsbury, N.J.,
and Loral Defense Systems-East, Reston, Va.

The Army STARS project brought innovative approaches to building software into
practical use in the area of intelligence and electronic warfare. The project
expects a 40 percent reduction in support costs, and a significant improvement
in functionality and maintainability of the Army Guardrail Common Sensor. In
addition, because of the success of the innovative software development methods
demonstrated in this project, the Army has been able to field the Guardrail
Common Sensor software earlier than originally planned. The Army plans to
apply the knowledge gained to software development for other missions as
well.

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology Paul G. Kaminski
lauded the projects efforts, saying, "The promise of Ôfaster, better,
cheaper' software is achievable, and the Army STARS Demonstration Project is
showing the way."